Shoe and pant leg clip

ABSTRACT

A clip includes an elongate body portion and first and second hook portions extending away from opposed surfaces of the body portion. The first hook is hooked with a shoe and the second hook is hooked with a pant leg. The first hook is positioned above the second hook and the pant leg extends over the first hook.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to clips for garments.

2. Description of the Related Art

People often wear pants with pant legs that extend to their shoes.However, if the pant leg extends too far, it can engage the ground andbe damaged. Clips have been provided to hold the pant leg to the shoeand reduce the likelihood of the pant leg engaging the ground. Someexamples of clips can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,782,057, 6,054,091,6,618,862, 6,701,582, 7,086,123 and 7,272,862, as well as the referencescited therein.

These types of clips tend to be complicated because they includemultiple components, which make them difficult and expensive tomanufacture. Further, some of these clips may be too visible for somewearers, and most grasp the shoe and/or pant leg, which can be a problemif one forgets to undo the clip when undressing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a clip which includes an elongate bodyportion, wherein the elongate body portion is rectangular in shape andflat, and is made of a material that allows it to be flexible. The clipincludes first and second hook portions extending from a surface andopposed surface, respectively, of the elongate body portion. The firsthook portion is for hooking to a shoe and the second hook portion is forhooking a pant leg so that the clip restricts the movement of the pantleg relative to the shoe. In this way, the pant leg is less likely toengage the ground and be damaged.

In some embodiments, the first and/or second hooks are tapered towardsthe elongate body portion. However, in some embodiments, the firstand/or second hook portions each include a tapered lip, wherein thetapered lips extend away from the elongate body portion.

The present invention provides a clip which includes an elongate bodyportion and first and second hook portions extending from opposedsurfaces of the body portion. The first hook faces downwardly and thesecond hook faces upwardly, and the first hook is coupled with a shoeand the second hook is coupled with a pant leg. The first hook istypically positioned above the second hook and the pant leg typicallyextends over the first hook. The first and second hooks are slidinglyengaged with the shoe and pant leg, respectively.

The present invention employs a method which includes providing a shoeand a pant leg and providing a clip which includes an elongate bodyportion. The method includes providing first and second hook portionsextending from opposed surfaces of the body portion. The first hook iscoupled with the shoe and the second hook is coupled with the pant leg.In some embodiments, the method includes slidingly engaging the firsthook with the shoe. The method can include slidingly engaging the pantleg with the second hook.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe and clip, in accordance with theinvention.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are cut-away side views of the shoe of FIG. 1 takenalong a cut-line 2 a-2 a.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are side and perspective views, respectively of theclip of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 c and 3 d are close-up side views of a shoe hook and pant leghook, respectively, of the clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a hook having a tapered endwhich can be included with a clip of the invention.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are flow diagrams of methods, in accordance with theinvention, of wearing a clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe 100 which carries a shoe and pantleg clip 110, in accordance with the invention. Shoe 100 can be of manydifferent types, but in this embodiment, it includes a sole 103 coupledto a vamp having a sidewall 104, wherein the vamp defines an opening 105for a person to move his or her foot through in a well-known manner.

In accordance with the invention, shoe and pant leg clip 110 ispositioned with shoe 100 so that it extends downwardly from opening 105.Further, shoe and pant leg clip 110 is positioned with shoe 100 so thata portion of it extends through opening 105 and another portion does notextend through opening 105. In this embodiment, a portion of shoe andpant leg clip 110 extends along the interior of sidewall 104 and anotherportion extends along the exterior of sidewall 104. The interior ofsidewall 104 is adjacent to opening 105 and the exterior of sidewall 104is separated from opening 105 by sidewall 104. The interior of sidewall104 faces opening 105 and the exterior of sidewall 104 faces away fromopening 105.

Shoe and pant leg clip 110 can be carried by shoe 100 in many differentways. In this embodiment, shoe and pant leg clip 110 is hooked to shoe100. Shoe and pant leg clip 110 can be hooked to shoe 100 in manydifferent ways. In this embodiment, clip 110 includes a shoe hook whichcan be hooked to sidewall 104, wherein the shoe hook includes theportion of clip 110 that extends through opening 105. The shoe hook ishooked to sidewall 104 by slidingly engaging it therewith.

In some situations, the person wearing shoe 100 is also wearing pantshaving a pant leg. It is sometimes desirable to restrict the movement ofthe pant leg relative to the shoe and reduce the likelihood that thepant leg engages the ground. Hence, shoe and pant leg clip 110 includesa pant leg hook for hooking the pant leg. The pant leg hook is hooked tothe pant leg by slidingly engaging it therewith. The pant leg hookincludes the portion of clip 110 that does not extend through opening105. Hence, the shoe clip holds clip 110 to shoe 100 and the pant legclip holds the pant leg, so that the pant leg is coupled to shoe 100 byclip 110. In this way, the movement of the pant leg relative to shoe 100is restricted by clip 110, and the pant leg is less likely to engage theground and be damaged.

It should be noted that the shoe hook is positioned proximate to opening105 and the pant leg hook is positioned away from opening 105. Further,the shoe hook is positioned proximate to opening 105 and the pant leghook is positioned below opening 105. Further, one shoe and pant legclip is carried by shoe 100 in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes, butmore than one can be carried, if desired.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are cut-away side views of shoe 100 taken along acut-line 2 a-2 a of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, two shoe and pant legclips are carried by shoe 100, wherein the shoe and pant leg clips aredenoted as clips 110 a and 110 b. Shoe and pant leg clips 110 a and 110b can be positioned with and carried by shoe 100 as discussed above withFIG. 1. Shoe and pant leg clips 110 a and 110 b are hooked to sidewalls104 a and 104 b, respectively. Shoe and pant leg clips 110 a and 110 bcan be hooked to sidewalls 104 a and 104 b in many different ways. Inthis embodiment, shoe and pant leg clips 110 a and 110 b each include ashoe hook 112 and pant leg hook 116 coupled together with a clip body111, wherein clip body 111 extends between shoe hook 112 and pant leghook 116. Shoe hook 112 of clip 110 a is for hooking clip 110 a tosidewall 104 a and shoe hook 112 of clip 110 b is for hooking clip 110 bto sidewall 104 b. Shoe hook 112 of clip 110 a is hooked to sidewall 104a by slidingly engaging it therewith, and shoe hook 112 of clip 110 b ishooked to sidewall 104 b by slidingly engaging it therewith.

Clip body 111 can have many different shapes, but here it is an elongatebody, wherein its length is greater than its width. Further, thethickness of clip body 111 is greater than its width. In this way, clipbody 111 is flat. Clip body 111 can include many different materials.However, the material included with clip body 111 is generally chosen sothat it is flexible. Clip body 111 is flexible so that it can berepeatably moved between biased and unbiased conditions, wherein clipbody 111 is bent and unbent when in the biased and unbiased conditions,respectively. Examples of materials that can be included with clip body111 include plastic and metal, such as aluminum. The thickness of clipbody 111 is typically chosen so that it is flexible.

Shoe hook 112 and pant leg hook 116 can be of many different types, buthere they are embodied as J-hooks. Shoe hook 112 extends outwardly fromone surface of clip body 111 and pant leg hook 116 extends outwardlyfrom an opposed surface of clip body 111. The surface of elongate body111 of clip 110 a faces sidewall 104 a and the opposed surface facesaway from sidewall 104 a. Further, the surface of elongate body 111 ofclip 110 b faces sidewall 104 b and the opposed surface faces away fromsidewall 104 a.

When shoe and pant leg clips 110 a and 110 b are carried by shoe 110,shoe hook 112 faces downwardly and pant leg hook 116 faces upwardly.Shoe hook 112 is positioned proximate to opening 105 and pant leg hook116 is positioned away from opening 105. Further, shoe hook 112 ispositioned proximate to opening 105 and pant leg hook 116 is positionedbelow opening 105. In this way, shoe hook 112 is positioned above pantleg hook 116, and pant leg hook 116 is positioned below shoe hook 112.

As shown in FIG. 2 b, a pant leg 107 is repeatably moveable betweenhooked and unhooked positions with shoe and pant leg clips 110 a and 110b, wherein pant leg 107 is shown as being hooked and unhooked with clips110 a and 110 b, respectively. Pant leg 107 is slidingly engaged withclip 110 a and can be slidingly disengaged from clip 110 a by movingpant leg 107 upwardly. When pant leg 107 is hooked with clip 110 a, itextends over shoe hook 112. Further, when pant leg 107 is slidinglyengaged with clip 110 a, it extends over shoe hook 112.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are side and perspective views, respectively of shoeand pant leg clip 110. FIGS. 3 c and 3 d are close-up side views of shoehook 112 and pant leg hook 116, respectively. In this embodiment, shoehook 112 includes a shoe hook base 113 coupled to clip body 111, and ashoe hook head 114 extending outwardly from shoe hook base 113. Further,shoe hook 112 includes a shoe hook overhang 115 extending from shoe hookhead 114. When clip 110 is carried by shoe 100, shoe hook base 113extends upwardly along sidewall 104, shoe hook head 114 extendsoutwardly from sidewall 104 and shoe hook overhang 115 extendsdownwardly from shoe hook head 114. When clip 110 is carried by shoe100, shoe hook base 113 extends upwardly towards opening 105, shoe hookhead 114 extends outwardly from opening 105 and shoe hook overhang 115extends downwardly from opening 105. When clip 110 is carried by shoe100, shoe hook base 113 extends along the exterior of sidewall 104 andshoe hook overhang 115 extends along the interior of sidewall 104. Whenclip 110 is carried by shoe 100, shoe hook overhang 115 extends throughopening 105.

In this embodiment, shoe hook base 113, shoe hook head 114 and shoe hookoverhang 115 bound a shoe hook opening 120. Shoe hook 112 is slidinglyengaged with shoe 100 by extending sidewall 104 through shoe hookopening 120. Shoe hook 112 is slidingly engaged with shoe 100 by slidingsidewall 104 through shoe hook opening 120 so it is between shoe hookbase 113 and shoe hook overhang 115. Shoe hook opening 120 can have manydifferent dimensions and shapes. In this embodiment, shoe hook opening120 has an outer distance ti and inner distance t₂, wherein outerdistance t₁ is between hook base 113 and the distal end of shoe hookoverhang 115 and inner distance t₂ is between shoe hook base 113 and theproximal end of shoe hook overhang 115. The distal end of shoe hookoverhang 115 is away from shoe hook head 114 and the proximal end ofshoe hook overhang 115 is towards shoe hook head 114.

It should be noted that distances t₁ and t₂ are adjustable by biasingclip 110 so that shoe hook overhang 115 moves towards and away from shoehook base 113. In general, distances t₁ and t₂ decrease as shoe hookoverhang 115 moves towards shoe hook base 113 and distances t₁ and t₂increase as shoe hook overhang 115 moves away from shoe hook base 113.

Distances t₁ and t₂ can have many different distance values relative toeach other. In this embodiment, distance t₁ is less than distance t₂ sothat shoe hook overhang 115 is angled towards clip body 111 in anunbiased condition. In this way, shoe hook 112 is tapered towards clipbody 111. In some embodiments, distances t₁ and t₂ are the same so thatshoe hook overhang 115 is parallel with clip body 111 in an unbiasedcondition.

Distances t₁ and t₂ can be adjusted to adjust the amount of force thatshoe hook 112 applies to sidewall 104. In general, as distances t₁ andt₂ decrease, shoe hook 112 applies a larger force to sidewall 104 and asdistances t₁ and t₂ increase, shoe hook 112 applies a smaller force tosidewall 104. Further, as distance t₁ decreases, shoe hook 112 applies alarger force to sidewall 104 and as distance t₁ increases, shoe hook 112applies a smaller force to sidewall 104.

In this embodiment, pant leg hook 116 includes a pant leg hook base 117coupled to clip body 111, and a pant leg hook head 118 extendingoutwardly from pant leg hook base 117. Further, pant leg hook 116includes a pant leg hook overhang 119 extending from pant leg hook head118. When clip 110 is carried by shoe 100, pant leg hook base 113extends downwardly along sidewall 104, pant leg hook head 118 extendsoutwardly from sidewall 104 and pant leg hook overhang 119 extendsupwardly from shoe hook head 114. When clip 110 is carried by shoe 100,pant leg hook base 118 extends downwardly away from opening 105, pantleg hook head 118 extends outwardly from opening 105 and pant leg hookoverhang 119 extends upwardly towards opening 105. When clip 110 iscarried by shoe 100, pant leg hook base 118 extends along the exteriorof sidewall 104 and pant leg hook head 118 extends outwardly fromsidewall 104. When clip 110 is carried by shoe 100, and pant leg hookoverhang 119 is spaced from sidewall 104 by pant leg hook head 118.

In this embodiment, pant leg hook base 117, pant leg hook head 118 andpant leg hook overhang 119 bound a pant leg hook opening 121. Pant leghook 116 is slidingly engaged with the pant leg by moving the pant legthrough pant leg hook opening 121. Pant leg hook 116 is slidinglyengaged with the pant leg by sliding it through pant leg hook opening121 so it is between pant leg hook base 117 and pant leg hook overhang119.

Pant leg hook opening 121 can have many different dimensions and shapes.In this embodiment, pant leg hook opening 121 has an outer distance t₃and inner distance t₄, wherein outer distance t₃ is between pant leghook base 117 and the distal end of pant leg hook overhang 119 and innerdistance t₄ is between pant leg hook base 117 and the proximal end ofpant leg hook overhang 119. The distal end of pant leg hook overhang 119is away from pant leg head 118 and the proximal end of pant leg hookoverhang 119 is towards pant leg head 118.

It should be noted that distances t₃ and t₄ are adjustable by biasingclip 110 so that pant leg hook overhang 119 moves towards and away frompant leg hook base 117. In general, distances t₃ and t₄ decrease as pantleg hook overhang 119 moves towards pant leg hook base 117 and distancest₃ and t₄ increase as pant leg hook overhang 119 moves away from pantleg hook base 117.

Distances t₃ and t₄ can have many different distance values relative toeach other. In this embodiment, distance t₃ is less than distance t₄ sothat pant leg hook overhang 119 is angled towards clip body 111 in anunbiased condition. In this way, pant leg hook 116 is tapered towardsclip body 111. In some embodiments, distances t₃ and t₄ are the same sothat pant leg hook overhang 119 is parallel with clip body 111 in anunbiased condition.

In some embodiments, distance t₁ is larger than distance t₃ so that, inthe unbiased condition, shoe hook opening 120 is larger than pant leghook opening 121. In other embodiments, distance t₁ is smaller thandistance t₃ so that, in the unbiased condition, shoe hook opening 120 issmaller than pant leg hook opening 121. In some embodiments, distance t,is the same as distance t₃ so that, in the unbiased condition, shoe hookopening 120 is the same size as pant leg hook opening 121. It is usefulto be able to adjust the dimensions of openings 120 and 121 so that clip110 can accommodate shoes having sidewalls with different thicknessesand pants having pant legs with different thicknesses of material. Thedimensions of openings 120 and 121 can also be adjusted by adjusting thedimensions of shoe hook 112 and pant leg hook 116, as will be discussedin more detail presently.

Distances t₃ and t₄ can be adjusted to adjust the amount of force thatpant leg hook 116 applies to the pant leg. In general, as distances t₃and t₄ decrease, pant leg hook 116 applies a larger force to the pantleg and as distances t₃ and t₄ increase, pant leg hook 116 applies asmaller force to the pant leg. Further, as distance t₃ decreases, pantleg hook 116 applies a larger force to the pant leg and as distance t₃increases, pant leg hook 116 applies a smaller force to the pant leg.

The dimensions of openings 120 and 121 can be adjusted by adjusting thedimensions of the corresponding shoe hook overhang and shoe hook head.For example, in some embodiments, shoe hook overhang 115 is longer thanpant leg hook overhang 119. In other embodiments, shoe hook overhang 115is shorter than pant leg hook overhang 119. In some embodiments, shoehook overhang 115 and pant leg hook overhang 119 have the same length.In some embodiments, shoe hook head 114 is longer than pant leg hookhead 118. In other embodiments, shoe hook head 114 is shorter than pantleg hook head 118. In some embodiments, shoe hook head 114 and pant leghook head 118 have the same length.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a hook 123 which can beincluded with a shoe and pant leg clip of the invention. It should benoted that hook 123 can be used as a shoe hook and a pant leg hook, suchas those discussed in more detail above. In this embodiment, hook 123includes a hook base 124 coupled to clip body 111 and a hook head 125extending outwardly from hook base 124. Hook 123 includes a hookoverhang 126 extending from hook head 125. Hook base 124, hook head 125and hook overhang 126 bound a hook opening 128.

In this embodiment, hook 123 includes a lip 127 extending from hookoverhang 126, wherein lip 127 extends outwardly from a distal end ofhook overhang 126. Lip 127 extends away from hook base 124 and clip body111, and is tapered with hook overhang 126. In this way, hook 123includes a tapered end. The tapered end is useful because it can begrasped with a person's finger and pulled so that hook overhang 126 ismoved away from hook base 124 and the dimensions of hook opening 128increase. The shoe sidewall or pant leg can be more easily released fromhook opening 128 when the dimensions of hook opening 128 increase. Theshoe sidewall or pant leg can be more easily slidingly disengaged fromhook opening 128 when the dimensions of hook opening 128 increase.

FIG. 5 a is a flow diagram of a method 200, in accordance with theinvention, of wearing a shoe and pant leg clip. In this embodiment,method 200 includes a step 201 of providing a shoe and a step 202 ofproviding a pant leg. It should be noted that the shoe and pant leg aretypically worn by a person in a well-known manner. Method 200 includes astep 203 of providing a clip which includes an elongate body portion,and first and second hook portions extending from opposed surfaces ofthe body portion. Method 200 includes a step 204 of coupling the firsthook with the shoe and a step 205 of coupling the second hook with thepant leg. The first hook typically faces downwardly and the second hooktypically faces upwardly. Further, the second hook is typicallypositioned below the first hook.

It should be noted that method 200 can include many other steps. Forexample, in some embodiments, method 200 includes a step of slidinglyengaging the first hook with the shoe. In some embodiments, method 200includes a step of slidingly engaging the pant leg with the second hook.

FIG. 5 b is a flow diagram of a method 210, in accordance with theinvention, of removing a shoe and pant leg clip. In this embodiment,method 210 includes a step 211 of providing a shoe and a step 212 ofproviding a pant leg. It should be noted that the shoe and pant leg aretypically worn by a person in a well-known manner. Method 210 includes astep 213 of providing a clip which includes an elongate body portion,and first and second hook portions extending from opposed surfaces ofthe body portion. The first hook portion is slidingly engaged with asidewall of the shoe and the second hook portion is slidingly engagedwith the pant leg. The first hook portion typically faces downwardly andthe second hook portion typically faces upwardly. Further, the secondhook is typically positioned below the first hook. Method 210 includes astep 214 of slidingly disengaging the pant leg with the second hook. Thepant leg is slidingly disengaged with the second hook by pulling itupwardly. In some embodiments, method 210 includes a step 215 ofslidingly disengaging the first clip from the sidewall of the shoe. Thefirst clip is slidingly disengaged from the sidewall of the shoe bymoving the clip upwardly.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary andnumerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readilyenvisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which areintended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A clip, comprising: an elongate body portion; a first hook portionextending away from a surface of the elongate body portion; and a secondhook portion extending away from an opposed surface of the elongate bodyportion.
 2. The clip of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first andsecond hook portions is tapered towards the elongate body portion. 3.The clip of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second hookportions includes an outwardly extending lip.
 4. The clip of claim 1,wherein the elongate body portion is flexible.
 5. The clip of claim 1,wherein the first and second hook portions are flexible.
 6. The clip ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second hook portions have different sizehook openings.
 7. Apparatus, comprising: a shoe; a pant leg; a clipwhich includes an elongate body portion and first and second hookportions extending away from opposed surfaces of the body portion;wherein the first hook is hooked with the shoe and the second hook ishooked with the pant leg.
 8. The clip of claim 7, wherein the first hookis positioned above the second hook.
 9. The clip of claim 7, wherein thepant leg extends over the first hook.
 10. The clip of claim 7, whereinthe first hook faces downwardly and the second hook faces upwardly. 11.The clip of claim 7, wherein the first and second hooks are slidinglyengaged with the shoe and pant leg, respectively.
 12. The clip of claim7, wherein the first and second hooks have different size hook openings.13. The clip of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and secondhook portions includes an outwardly extending lip.
 14. The clip of claim7, wherein the elongate body portion is flat.
 15. A method, comprising:providing a shoe; providing a pant leg; providing a clip which includesan elongate body portion and first and second hook portions extendingaway from opposed surfaces of the body portion; hooking the first hookwith the shoe; and hooking the second hook with the pant leg.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the first hook is hooked with the shoe byslidingly engaging it therewith.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein thesecond hook is hooked with the pant leg by slidingly engaging ittherewith.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of hooking thesecond hook with the pant leg includes slidingly the pant leg through ahook opening of the second hook.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein thefirst hook faces downwardly and the second hook faces upwardly.
 20. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the second hook is positioned below thefirst hook.